The 2007 West Allis / West Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year for West Allis will be awarded to Laura’s Hallmark on 68th and Greenfield. They were nominated and chosen for being very involved in the community through various initiatives such as WA Police Crime Stoppers events, served on the Chamber Member Services Committee and because they are “ a small store with a big heart.” Laura’s Hallmark has also conducted semi-annual bake sales to raise money for the Holy Assumption Food Pantry.

The 2007 Citizen of the Year for West Allis is Joanie Luedke. Joanie has a long list of accomplishments. She is currently the Director of the Family Resource Center, an excellent place for young children to play in a safe environment and for parents to learn through workshops and seminars. Joanie is also a member of the West Allis/West Milwaukee Board of Education, the Chamber Education Foundation and others. Her contributions have been very important to the community.

The 2007 Business of the Year for West Milwaukee will be awarded to Culver’s of West Milwaukee. Owners Mike Busalacchi and Brian Schubring have made sure that their Culver’s participates in all of the Village events. According to Village President Ron Hayward, they were the first to move in to the Villageat the start of its ‘renaissance.’

The 2007 Citizen of the Year Award for West Milwaukee has been awarded to a couple. Tom and Judy Fell have been Village residents since 1972 serving the village both professionally and charitably. Judy has retired from the WA/WM School District as a teacher at General Mitchell Elementary and Tom is a Sales and Marketing specialist. Together they have formed the Wisconsin Brain Trauma Association, now the Brain Injury Association of Wisconsin, received lifetime service awards from that organization and are recipients of the BIAW Presidents award. They have served as Co-Chairs of the West Milwaukee Centennial Celebration Committee and are active members of the Mustang Booster Club.

Prior Business of the Year Recipients:
1993-Sullivan Dental; 1994-American Industrial; 1995-Motor Castings; 1996-Rupena’s Foods & Catering; 1997-SueShar’s Restaurant; 1998-Homan’s Jewelers; 1999-D.C. Ellington; 2000-The Village at Manor Park; 2001-Quad Graphics; 2002-Majdecki’s Sentry; 2003-Hub Chrysler Jeep South; 2004-Creative Graphics; 2005-Whitnall Summit; 2006-TDS Metrocom; 2007 P&H Mining Equipment.

Previous Citizen of the Year Recipients:
1984 Len Szudy; 1985 Reginald Hislop, Jr.; 1986 Warren “Bud” Hirschinger; 1987 Gerald Weinberg; 1988 Frank Maydak; 1989 Don Charlier; 1990 Marge Menzel; 1991 Chester Mikolajek; 1992 Jerry Fusek; 1993 Lee Facchinello; 1994 Joyce Ann Radke; 1995 Robert Thompto; 1996 Al Knief; 1997 Frank Strumberger; 1998 Joyce Rowell; 1999 Joyce Halliburton; 2000 Barbara Barthel; 2001 Joyce O’Donnell; 2002 Karen Jasniewski; 2003 Joe Kempen; 2004 Patricia Wolfe; 2005 Jim Mejchar; 2006 Diane Brandt; 2007 Pat Morris